KUCHING: Sarawak will begin identifying high-performing students as early as at Form Three, particularly from the state’s international schools as part of a strategy to prepare talent for entry into top global universities, including the University of Cambridge.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initiative follows discussions with representatives from the university who visited the state last week.
“I have requested 10 slots for Sarawakian students to study at the University of Cambridge. As you know, it is very competitive and the standards are very high.
“Therefore, the university had recommended that both Cambridge and the state government identify the performance of our students starting from Form Three, especially in good-performing schools, including Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School (YSISS).
Abang Johari speaks at SDI’s 30th anniversary dinner. Photo: UKAS
“This early monitoring means that once they finish Form Six, A-Level, they can proceed directly to further their studies at the University of Cambridge,” he said.
He said this during the Sarawak Development Institute’s (SDI) 30th anniversary dinner at a local hotel here on Friday night.
Abang Johari further said such an effort aligns with the state’s goal to develop the talent needed to drive its economic ambitions.
“We are also working with London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and we hope that we can produce the brains we need, supported as well by our local universities.
“This is so Sarawak will have a ready workforce,” he said.
He added that the state is also committed to ensuring equal access to higher education for all Sarawakians.
“It is free – whether you come from a fishing family, farming family, B40 or M40 – you have the privilege to study further because the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is behind you,” he said.
On a related note, he said the state has implemented the Sarawak Dual Language Programme’s Assessment Test (UP-DLP) to measure students’ progress in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“The key is the quality of workforce. That is why we have these assessment tests for Primary Six, Form Three and Form Five, where we work together with Cambridge.
“The results of the first test for Primary Six pupils show that the English subject is satisfactory, but the Science subject is below par. In other words, STEM is still low.
“If that is the case, we will face difficulties in sending our students into STEM-related disciplines, and therefore the Sarawak Government must intervene,” said Abang Johari.